'It was wonderful that she had learnt to trust me'

Elisabeth had been an independent reading volunteer in her local primary school for a number of years when it became a partner school with Learn to Love to Read, so she joined our team of volunteers. 

"I knew I wanted to volunteer when I retired, and since I love reading and am a member of a book club, I wanted to instil that same joy in children. Since being a grandmother I've realised I love the company of small children and wanted to work with them. It was super-convenient to volunteer in my local primary school so I'm not wasting time travelling. I read with three children every week for about half an hour each, which fits in well around my other commitments." 

Elisabeth has always felt valued and welcomed by the school, but since coming under the Learn to Love to Read umbrella she has also benefitted from additional training, which she thinks is "helpful to keep you up-to-the-mark and help you concentrate your mind on what you are doing." She's also enjoyed volunteering at Learn to Love to Read's Summer Reading Club for the past two summers which she says is "absolutely wonderful." The social evenings and coffee mornings organised by Learn to Love to Read are "really valuable and it is interesting to talk to other volunteers from other schools. It's nice to meet people doing the same thing - you learn a lot from other people." 

Elisabeth reflects that the best thing about being a volunteer is the ability to "offer a child one-to-one attention, who might not be getting it at home... it is something I have time to do, and I hugely enjoy their company and being able to give them that chance."

Whilst  there are so many factors in the progress children make with their reading, she feels that her sessions are especially rewarding when she sees a child growing in confidence. She recalls one child who, after just a few weeks of working together, was "giving eye contact, and chatting with me about what she'd done at a weekend, and I thought it was wonderful that she had learnt to trust me and talk to an adult." 

So would Elisabeth recommend volunteering with Learn to Love to Read to others? "I'm trying to get my friends to sign up - it is just the most wonderful thing, if you enjoy children and reading. The trouble is that everyone in London is so busy, but I'm on the case and would highly recommend it!"